Sept. 8, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Best thing to do other than the game: Visit all the historic sites, including the Old North Church, Bunker Hill Monument and Faneuil Hall.
Whatever you do, do not: Allow yourself only two hours to get to Foxborough. You’ll never make it.
Bucket list item: Catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. They’ll still be playing then.
This is a good chance to see the Steelers: Do something they’ve never done — beat Tom Brady at Foxborough. They are 0-5 against him there.
Sept. 22, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Best thing to do other than the game: Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, have lunch in Sausalito and enjoy the spectacular view of San Fran from across the water. Or just take the crooked drive down Lombard Street.
Whatever you do, do not: Decide to visit Oakland across the bay. The best part of Oakland is the road back to San Francisco.
Bucket list item: Take the boat and tour Alcatraz. It is the most imposing-looking sight from The Embarcadero.
This is a good chance to see the Steelers: Play for the first time in the Field of Jeans, better known as Levi’s Stadium.
Oct. 13, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Best thing to do other than the game: Take a tour of either Hollywood, Warner Bros. studios or movie stars’ homes.
Whatever you do, do not: Attempt to drive on the 405, the busiest and most congested freeway in the U.S.
Bucket list item: Walk, shop and eat on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Just make sure your credit card is clear.
This is a good chance to see the Steelers: Play in the smallest stadium in the NFL and feel as though you’re watching them practice at Latrobe Stadium.
NOV. 14, CLEVELAND BROWNS
Best thing to do other than the game: Go to the ‘A Christmas Story’ House in nearby Tremont. Take a tour of the home where the iconic holiday move was filmed and then walk across the street to the Rowley Inn to have lunch and some drinks.
Whatever you do, do not: Expect good weather. Lake Erie can be cruel in November.
Bucket list item: Take a tour through the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
This is a good chance to see the Steelers: Compete with the 2020 Super Bowl champions. That’s what everyone thinks the Browns are going to do with Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr., right?
NOV. 24, CINCINNATI BENGALS
Best thing to do other than the game: Eat some of the “world famous” ribs at the Montgomery Inn. The boathouse location is downtown and near the stadium.
Whatever you do, do not: Eat chili over spaghetti. Cincinnati is the chili capital of the world, but whoever thought to put it over spaghetti didn’t go to culinary school.
Bucket list item: Go to King’s Island amusement park. If not for the rides then just to see where “The Cincinnati Kids” Brady Bunch episode was filmed.
This is a good chance to see the Steelers: Win. They’ve have won six in a row and 9 of the past 10 at Paul Brown Stadium. Stay in your seats afterward to watch Bengals fans exit the stadium down the Esca-loser.
Dec. 8, ARIZONA CARDINALS
Best thing to do other than the game: Stay at the Phoenician. Play Whisper Rock. Eat at Los Dos Molinos.
Whatever you do, do not: Think you can easily climb Camelback Mountain. It’s steeper and higher than it appears.
Bucket list item: Make the 3½-hour drive and visit the Grand Canyon.
This is a good chance to see the Steelers: Play against former Pitt star Larry Fitzgerald in what is likely the final season of his Hall of Fame career.
Dec. 22, NEW YORK JETS
Best thing to do other than the game: Go to Manhattan, shop and eat at P.J. Clarks or Il Vagabondo
Whatever you do, do not: Stay in Newark … unless you like cement.
Bucket list item: Go to a play, any play, on Broadway
This is a good chance to see the Steelers: Gang up on their former teammate Le’Veon Bell, provided he makes it that far into the season.
DEC. 29, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Best thing to do other than the game: Take a tour through the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum and tour the room where the world famous slugger was born.
Whatever you do, do not: Plan to do much at the Inner Harbor. The seafood restaurants are overrated, and there are too many touristy shops.
Bucket list item: Go see Fort McHenry, where the Battle of Baltimore inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled Banner.”
This is a good chance to see the Steelers: Compete against their biggest rival. The names and faces might change, but this game is always a bit nasty. Plus, it’s always important. In seven of the past 10 years, either the Steelers or Ravens have won the AFC North.
--Compiled by Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo
First Published: April 18, 2019, 1:30 p.m.